*** You should be receiving your Summer issue of Barbican Life through your letter box shortly.
If you don’t receive a copy then please get in touch with us!
Cultivating Growth
Thank you to the Barbican Horticultural Society for all of the many wonderful photos they supplied for the cover image this issue. If you’re green fingered (or not!) and interested in growing things indoors and out, the Barbican Horticultural Society is a fun way to meet like-minded neighbours and learn a thing or two along the way. Do get in touch via the website if you’re interested in joining – barbicanhortsoc.co.uk.
Depending where you live on the Estate and highly correlated to which floor your flat is on, you may roast or freeze in the winters. Although it’s summer and the underfloor heating will now be off, we have an update from Ted Reilly on the project to insulate some of the colder winter flats on the Estate.
These days, one of the most important discussion points is how the City will reimagine the London Wall West area when the current Museum of London buildings are knocked down (and Bastion House with them, in all likelihood). Like many of the affected neighbours and the Barbican Association too, architect and fellow resident Terry Trickett is putting in a lot of work trying to influence the direction of redevelopment. His article explains his view that the revitalization of London Wall West has to be seen in the context of the City’s much wider plans for re-animating the Square Mile; culture and commerce working better together to face a post-pandemic world.
This issue we have an introduction from candidate Jeremy Mayhew to the autumn Aldermanic election in Cripplegate. In this year’s New Year’s Honours List Jeremy was awarded an OBE for public service in the City. After his term as Chair of the Finance Committee, lobbying and winning for us a much-appreciated freeze on council tax, he lays out the difference he can make for us as a new Alderman.
Peter Savage checks the precautions against chip pan fires in Lauderdale tower; better safe and wet than sorry!
Erin Summers interviews Islington neighbour Natasha Anne Kelleher about her poetry, and passion for the Barbican and also introduces us to the very glamorous Hithe + Seek for her wine chat this issue.
Ladybirds is top of the agenda for this episode of Minibeasts in the Barbican with Julien Waite. You thought they were just cute but their childhood associations belie a ruthless efficiency in nature.
We continue with the series of articles from St Giles’ on the remarkable hub they have created for organ scholars and the Reverend Canon Jack Noble contemplates coronations, church and state.
There is no pleasanter time than summer to enjoy outings to exhibitions and shows; Janet Wells and Gary Donaldson preview what’s on for the coming months.
Last, but definitely and absolutely not least, we say a very fond farewell to John Purvis, our Defoe House CPA, on his well-deserved retirement. He didn’t want a big fuss so I held off on the trumpets and marching bands! We’ll all be saying our goodbyes to him privately, I’m sure. He says he’ll come back and visit so we’ll be holding him to that and have the biscuits at the ready!
Have a wonderful summer and we’ll see you soon!
The Barbican Life Team
